Data released by the Minnesota Department of Education on March 5 showed that the graduation rates for students in Osseo Area Schools generally compare favorably to state averages; yet, the district has more work to do to improve graduation rates for specific student groups and to eliminate gaps among all groups measured.

From 2012 to 2019, the district’s on-time (four-year) graduation rate rose from 82% to 84%. Over that same time frame, four-year and seven-year rates have remained above corresponding state rates.

A preliminary review of the 2019 results showed the following:

Celebrations

District four-year and seven-year graduation rates remain above state rates.

For all racial groups except for Hispanic and Multiracial students, the district four-year and seven-year graduation rates are at or above comparable state averages.

All other demographic (non-racial) groups are at or above their comparable statewide averages except Males, who have slightly lower four-year graduation rates than their peers statewide.

Areas for concern

District four-year graduation rates decreased from 84.9% in 2018 to 84.1% in 2019.

District seven-year graduation rates decreased from 91.3% in 2018 to 90.3% in 2019.

From 2013 to 2018, the district four-year dropout rates ranged from 2.8% to 4.2%, but increased to 6.1% in 2019.

District four-year dropout rates have been at or below the state rates since 2011-12, but are above the state this year.

District seven-year dropout rates increased from 6.5% in 2017 (matching the lowest rate on record) to 8.4% in 2019 (the second highest on record).

What’s next?

District-level staff and school leaders will dig into the data for each high school and every student group.

The district will continue to work to improve outcomes for every student group. Students receiving special education and English language services will receive particularly focused attention.

2020-2021 improvement plans will include school-level action to improve specific graduation rate outcomes at each high school.